The governors of our school represent various elements of the Diocese of Westminster, local community, education authority and the church of Our Lady. They are appointed for a four-year term of office and Governing Body meetings are held every half term. Some members are elected representatives from the staff, as well as appointed governors from the various interested groups. The governors have oversight of the management, conduct and curriculum of the school and provide essential links between school, church, the community and the local authority. In order to fulfil their responsibilities the Governors belong to one of two committees which oversee different aspects of school life. There is also a Governors’ Admissions committee.

The Governors

Andrew HeffernanAndrew Heffernan was appointed as Parent Governor in 2006. In 2012 he become Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese. Andrew is the Chair of Governors and works in the Education & Achievement, Admissions and Resources Committees. Andrew’s three children all attended St Joseph’s. His business background is in accountancy and media, and most recently acted as the Chief Financial Officer of a media company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Term of office - August 2017 - August 2021Type of Governor - FoundationRelevant business and pecuniary interests - N/AGovernance roles in other educational institutions - N/AAny material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/AAttendance record at governing body and committee meetings – 100%Committee membership – Chair of Governors

Emanuela Federspil BernstorffEmanuela Federspil Bernstorff started as Parent Governor in 2006. In 2011 she become Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese. She is the Vice Chair and works in the Admissions Committee. Emanuela’s three daughters attended St Joseph’s. She read Law at university, is a PR professional and a spoken communications consultant. She founded and lead the Charity that opened the first Italian Primary school in London.

Date of appointment - Since Oct 2006Term of office - 2018Type of Governor - FoundationRelevant business and pecuniary interests - N/AGovernance roles in other educational institutions - N/AAny material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/AAttendance record at governing body and committee meetings - 99%Committee membership - Admissions

Roberto SperanzaRoberto is a Foundation Governor elected to his post in 2014 and he has three children of different ages all attending St Joseph’s. Roberto works for a global asset manager and has 20 years experience in banking. He has a BS degree in Economics from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome and a MSc in Finance at LBS in London. He has served as a visitor lecturer in Finance at Bocconi and Luiss University in Italy.

Date of appointment - September 2015Term of office -Type of Governor - FoundationRelevant business and pecuniary interests - N/AGovernance roles in other educational institutions - N/AAny material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/AAttendance record at governing body and committee meetings - All but one absence at Education and Achievement CommitteeCommittee membership - Education and Achievement

Mark CramphornMark is a father of four with two children currently attending St Joseph’s. Mark has spent a career in advertising, marketing and communications.

During his time in business he has held senior positions in both global and local companies in roles ranging from Managing director to COO. Mark currently runs his own agency in central London.

Having spent time in India, Mark finds himself interested how a country or organisation can improve a situation from the bottom up, as well as top down.

Date of appointment - March 2018Relevant business and pecuniary interests - N/AGovernance roles in other educational institutions - N/AAny material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/AAttendance record at governing body and committee meetings – N/ACommittee membership – Resources

Mrs HusainMrs Husain is Headteacher at St Joseph’s. As well as working in London at the start of her teaching career, she has taught in Oxford, Australia, Birkenhead and Barcelona. After completing an English degree, she specialised in Early Years Education and has taught all year groups from Reception to Year 6.

Date of appointment - September 2011Type of Governor - StaffRelevant business and pecuniary interests - N/AGovernance roles in other educational institutions - N/AAny material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/AAttendance record at governing body and committee meetings -Committee membership - Resources, Education and Achievement and Admissions

Kevin BowlesMr Bowles has been a class teacher for a number years and worked in a range of different schools. He has taught across Reception and Nursery classes, and specialised in Early Years Education at university. Currently he is one of two Reception teachers and EYFS lead at St Joseph’s.

Date of appointment - September 2015Term of office - 4 yearsType of Governor - StaffRelevant business and pecuniary interests - N/AGovernance roles in other educational institutions - N/AAny material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/AAttendance record at governing body and committee meetings - 100%Committee membership - Education and Achievement

Chelsea BottomleyAs an ex student and now parent, Chelsea is delighted that her son has experienced the same wonderful, caring environment that she had at St Joseph’s. Chelsea works as a Church Gift Aid Co-Ordinator, Administrator and Accountant at the Church of the Transfiguration, Kensal Rise.

Date of appointment - March 2018Type of Governor - ParentRelevant business and pecuniary interests - N/A Governance roles in other educational institutions - N/A Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - N/A Attendance record at governing body and committee meetings – N/A Committee membership – Achievements

Committees

The Governing Body comprises of three committees:

Resources

Education and Achievement

Admissions

Other committees or working parties are convened as appropriate

The Resources committee is responsible for the financial management of the school and ensuring that all pupils’ needs are provided for.

The Governors on the Education and Achievement committee focus on the learning and progress of the children.

The Admissions committee is responsible for the correct implementation of the school’s admissions procedures and works closely with the Diocese of Westminster to ensure that the Admissions Process is fair and transparent.

Each committee meets at least once each term.

The Governors’ Fund

As a voluntary aided school the Governors are responsible for the maintenance of the school buildings and must pay at least 10% of expenditure on any building work that is undertaken. This includes any expenditure in ICT infrastructure. To enable the Governing Body to achieve this it relies on voluntary contributions from parents and friends of the school.

In the past the Key Stage Two toilets have been renovated and this year a new school boiler was installed. We are currently at the beginning of a three phase building project improving our Year 1 and 2 classrooms and other learning environments.

If you would like to donate to our Governors’ Fund please click here and thank you, we are very grateful for the support that we are fortunate to receive from friends to the school.